Adolescence is a confusing and complicated time of life. Hormones are kicking in, bodies are changing, social media rules their world, brains are developing, and school, friends and parents have expectations that can overwhelm a young person. Seemingly overnight, your teenager has morphed into someone you hardly recognize. He or she may be stressed out or depressed or experimenting with drugs or alcohol or sneaking around. Perhaps your teen has become disruptive or is isolating away from the family.

I understand that teenagers thrive when they feel accepted and understood. Using humor and a non-judgmental approach, I create a safe place for teens to open up and begin to explore their underlying feelings and issues. We talk about brain development in order to "normalize" their struggles and better understand their own impulses and behaviors. Through metaphor, art, play and education I get to the heart of their self-esteem, identity and self-worth issues. Kids learn healthy and appropriate coping skills to manage their uncomfortable feelings and a vocabulary to improve communication. They'll also have the opportunity to identify their values and goals and learn skills to reduce family conflict. All of this leads to happier teenagers and healthier families.

No longer teenagers but not quite adults -- that's the dilemma of the young adult. While you may be legally of-age, you haven't quite mastered the skills to balance all the elements of an older adult -- work, college, family, social life, partying, maybe even a general direction in life. Maybe your emotions haven't caught up with your age yet. Maybe you're still bothered by some issues from way back in your life. Maybe you're realizing that "adulting" is a lot harder than you thought it would be.

Call me. Together we can figure things out and devise a structure that you can build on. I'm willing to discount my fees to self-paying college students.

Adults often feel overwhelmed by the pressure to "hold it all together", particularly if they have families, careers and other responsibilities. It seems that there's just not enough time or energy left for themselves after they've taken care of everyone else. Life loses its balance and meaning. Many adults reach a certain birthday that inspires them to redefine their purpose and goals. Along with the aging process come predictable life transitions that can produce feelings of grief and loss. Maybe there's an "empty nest" for the first time or the loss of an aging parent.

Together, we'll review where you've been and make a plan for where you'd like to be. We'll identify your strengths and build on them as you learn new ways to cope with life's stressors and regain a sense of mastery and balance in your life.

Families can be tough! Each one is a mini-community of busy people with different wants, needs and expectations. Some parents are rigid when it comes to change, while others undermine the structure altogether. Some parents are completely baffled by the changes they see in their children and have no idea what to do. Often, an event disrupts the balance in the family. It's common to have a family member who gets overlooked or who fights to be recognized by acting out in negative ways.

I am very attuned to the many challenges of parenting. I can help guide parents to have appropriate expectations of their children by educating them about developmental stages and teaching skills for effective communication. In therapy, each person gains a "voice", an understanding of their role, and skills to improve communication and resolve conflicts. Families can learn to appreciate that each member contributes to "the team" and its overall success and happiness. Parenting becomes less of a power struggle, which results in feeling more connected with the family.

Sometimes it's appropriate to address or stabilize certain issues in an inpatient or residential setting prior to working with an individual therapist like me. I have extensive knowledge and experience with many programs across the country, including diagnostic facilities, wilderness programs, residential treatment centers and therapeutic boarding schools. I also work with a network of professionals who specialize in making referrals to these kinds of programs, and I can guide you through this confusing process. Call me and we can discuss the best way to manage your individual situation.

I have extensive experience as a presenter and trainer in a variety of venues. Combining humor with substance, I have been an invited speaker at conferences, public and private schools, treatment facilities, parents' groups, and within the local court systems. Presentations can be customized to any size group or audience. Following is a sampling of presentations:

Margie Williams and TherapySites expressly disclaim all warranties and responsibilities of any kind, whether express or implied, for the accuracy or reliability of the content of any information contained in this site, and for the suitability, results, effectiveness or fitness for any particular purpose of the content. You are solely responsible for your use or reliance on such information and any foreseeable or unforeseeable consequences arising out of such use or reliance. In no event will Margie Williams or TherapySites be liable for any damages resulting from the use of or inability to use, the content, whether based on warranty, contract, tort or other legal theory, and whether or not Margie Williams or TherapySites is advised of the possibility of such damages. In no event will Margie Williams's and TherapySites's aggregate liability exceed U.S. $100.